reminds me of the scene in Game of Thrones, when Cersei demonstrates what real power is by seizing Littlefinger and faux threatening his life. Power, is power, not just the perception of power
> ...Cersei demonstrates what real power is by seizing Littlefinger and faux threatening his life.
Dandamis points the path to real power[1]:
"Greetings, teacher of the Brahmans. The son of mighty Zeus, King Alexander, who is the lord of all men, summons you. If you come to him he will give you many fine gifts; but if you do not come he will cut off your head."
When Dandamis heard that, he smiled kindly. He did not raise his head from the leaves, but laughed at the man and replied as follows from his lying position:
"God, the great king, is the source of no violence, but of light, peace, life, water, and of the human body and soul; and he receives the souls that have not been conquered by desire, when fate releases them. This is my only lord and god, who sets his face against murder and does not take part in warfare.
...
"As for Alexander's promises to me and the presents he says he will give me, they are useless to me. ... Let Alexander make his threats to those who desire gold and fear death; against us, these two weapons are useless. The Brahmans do not love gold, nor fear death. Go and say to Alexander: 'Dandamis does not need what you have. Therefore he will not come to you. If you need Dandamis, you must come to him.'"
[1] Attributed to Arrian in part 2 of Palladius' De Bragmanibus. Translation from Richard Stoneman's Legends of Alexander the Great.
Dandamis points the path to real power[1]:
"Greetings, teacher of the Brahmans. The son of mighty Zeus, King Alexander, who is the lord of all men, summons you. If you come to him he will give you many fine gifts; but if you do not come he will cut off your head."
When Dandamis heard that, he smiled kindly. He did not raise his head from the leaves, but laughed at the man and replied as follows from his lying position:
"God, the great king, is the source of no violence, but of light, peace, life, water, and of the human body and soul; and he receives the souls that have not been conquered by desire, when fate releases them. This is my only lord and god, who sets his face against murder and does not take part in warfare.
...
"As for Alexander's promises to me and the presents he says he will give me, they are useless to me. ... Let Alexander make his threats to those who desire gold and fear death; against us, these two weapons are useless. The Brahmans do not love gold, nor fear death. Go and say to Alexander: 'Dandamis does not need what you have. Therefore he will not come to you. If you need Dandamis, you must come to him.'"
[1] Attributed to Arrian in part 2 of Palladius' De Bragmanibus. Translation from Richard Stoneman's Legends of Alexander the Great.